DNA, the genetic sequence that tells cells what proteins to manufacture, typically resides inside the nucleus of a cell, but not always. Rebecca Majewski is studying the uptake of DNA into cell nuclei using a different polymer chains. Rebecca is a rising senior in BioMolecular Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is working as a summer intern in the Johns Hopkins Institute for Nanobiotechnology’s REU program.

“We are interested in how much of the DNA with the polyplex can get into the nucleus,” she said, but explains that DNA associated outside of the nucleus can cause false higher measurements.

Rebecca Majewski. Photo by Mary Spiro

Rebecca is washing the cells with the nuclei to get rid of DNA outside the nucleus and then comparing the measurement of uptake of the DNA by the cell versus the measurement of the uptake of DNA by the nucleus.

“We are interested in what DNA gets inserted into the nucleus because that is what is ultimately expressed. It is important to find out how much makes it to the final destination and then is expressed. The goal of this work is to test different polymer chains to see which one actually does the better job of getting the DNA into the nucleus,” she said.

Rebecca works alongside PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical engineering lab of Jordan Green lab at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She says she highly values the opportunity for a research experience through INBT’s REU because her undergraduate institution does not train graduate students.

For all press inquiries regarding INBT, its faculty and programs, contact Mary Spiro, mspiro@jhu.edu or 410-516-4802.

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